INDONESIAN SPEAKER SENDS LETTER TO SPEAKER PELOSI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001162 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, H NSC FOR J. BADER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ID SUBJECT: INDONESIAN SPEAKER SENDS LETTER TO SPEAKER PELOSI OUTLINING VISIT PLANS REF: JAKARTA 85 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) This message contains an Action Request -- Please see Para 5. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: Indonesian Speaker of the House Laksono has requested that Mission forward a letter to House Speaker Pelosi announcing plans for a 21-person parliamentary delegation visit to Washington from July 27 to August 2. The delegation would include 16 members of Parliament (DPR). An original copy of the letter was sent to Speaker Pelosi's office and a copy was sent to EAP/MTS. The visit will build on the cooperation between U.S. and Indonesian legislatures under the auspices of the House Democracy Assistance Commission(HDAC). END SUMMARY. VISIT TO WASHINGTON BY MPS ¶3. (U) The Indonesian Parliament (DPR) is sponsoring and funding a visit to the U.S. to meet with Congressmen Price and Dreier of HDAC. HDAC has been fully engaged with the DPR on reform efforts since 2006. DPR Speaker Agung Laksono is requesting meetings with Members of Congress, particularly HDAC Members, to discuss internal DPR reform efforts. They are seeking input before important reform legislation is enacted during the final DPR term which begins in August. ¶4. (U) Laksono notes that the delegation is traveling to the U.S. from July 27 through August 2. The Speaker will send the list of delegation participants later. ACTION REQUEST ¶5. (U) Mission requests that the Department help arrange for suitable, high-level Executive Branch meetings for the Indonesian delegation. Mission will be in touch with EAP to discuss this further. END ACTION REQUEST. ¶6. (U) "As is" text of the message follows: BEGIN TEXT: Jakarta, July 3, 2009 Honorable Speaker Nancy Pelosi The U.S. House of Representatives 235 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 It is my great honor to inform you that in line with the dynamic situation especially matters related to political and social condition in Indonesia, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia has face more challenges in accommodating the people's voice and aspiration. Prior to the end of the House's term of office this year, lists of inventory problems have been collected to be brought up to subsequent meetings for review. Being an institution serving to support the works of the House of Representatives, the Secretariat General of the House plays significant roles to provide administrative, technical and expertise to the House. As the House faces more challenging works, it needs a strong and more integrated Secretariat General to ensure the smooth process in accommodating people's aspiration. Following the review of lists of inventory problems from previous activities, a reform to the Secretariat is deemed necessary. In this relation, I have the honor to inform you that the House Affairs of the House of Representatives, dealing with internal affairs of the House, will pay a Working Visit to the U.S. House of Representatives from 27 July until 2 August 2009. This will be a study visit with focus on matters related to the reform of Secretariat General. The delegation consists of 16 Members, 2 high officials from the Secretariat General, 1 staff of the Household Committee Secretariat, 1 researcher and 1 expert staff. The name list of the delegation and other necessary documents will be sent in due course. To this end, I would like to seek your kind assistance to the possibility of the visit and hope that the proposed dates are suitable for the US Congress. I would appreciate it very much if you could inform the relevant parties/commissions to meet and discuss with the Indonesian delegation. Thanking very much for your kind cooperation and attention, accept please the assurances of my highest consideration. JAKARTA 00001162 002 OF 002 Yours Sincerely, /S/ H.R. Agung Laksono END TEXT. HUME